By innovation-sa on October 30, 2017 in News
The government of Saudi Arabia approved plans to issue tourist visas for the country, reported Al-Watan newspaper. During the first phase of its implementation, visas will only be made available to tour groups through authorized tour operators.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) would play a key role in promoting tourism in the Kingdom and has undertaken several projects recently. Under the new initiative, Saudi Arabia expects 1.5 million tourists a year by 2020.
The Asir development project, yearly Souq Okaz at Taif, the Farasan islands, and several museums and archaeological sites spread across the country are few of the notable tourist destinations in the country, quoted Rustom Al- Kubaisi, head of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) Jizan branch.
Over the years SCTH has played a key role in raising awareness about the significance of relics, urban heritage and historical buildings. It has also conducted several tourism workshops for the youth on topics like establishing small tourism projects and steps to increase safety in tourism establishments.